CALL FOR NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN: NSTF- SOUTH32 AWARDS 2017/2018

7 November 2017

Register nominations online - deadline 11 December 2017

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) calls fornominations for the 20thprestigious NSTF-South32 Awards in science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation. The NSTF’s theme for 2018 is the International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (2014-2024) as declared by the United Nations (UN).

Main heading

Register nominations for individuals, teams and organisations for an outstanding contribution to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa. The contributions that are recognised are:

  • Scientific research
  • Capacity building in engineering researchInnovation
  • Environmental sustainability and biodiversity
  • Water management solutions
  • Management of SET and innovation
  • Science Communication
  • Technology transfer
  • Education and training
  • Special Annual Theme Award for contributions that promote Sustainable Energy for All

There are major changes to the categories and criteria this year. See below:


Innovation awards: The Innovation Category has greater emphasis on ‘innovation’. The Research for Innovation Awards is now the ‘Awards for Innovations and their research and/or development’.

Research categories – no PhD required: All research categories are now open to anyone experienced in research. We have also strengthened the focus on further development of outputs towards innovations.

Suggestions for candidates: An open call to the public for nominations remains the primary process for nominations. However, if someone wants to suggest a person who should be nominated, please email suggestions to enquiries@nstf.co.za by 11 December 2017, with a brief explanation and their details. In this case, please don’t fill in the registration form.

Special Annual Theme Award: The NSTF’s special annual theme award this year is for a contribution to SET and innovation towards Sustainable Energy for All. This aligns to the International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (2014-2024) declared by the United Nations.

This is a two-stage nomination process:

Stage 1 – Register a nomination by 11 December 2017

Notify the nominee that you intend to nominate and ensure that you receive their agreement to participate.Complete and submit the online registration. You will receive an e-mail notification confirming receipt of your submission and the full nomination form/s as an attachment to complete. Please alert the NSTF Office if you don’t receive this.

Stage 2 – Submit completed nomination documents by 2 March 2018

Ensure that the completed full Nomination Form/s are e-mailed to the NSTF before the final deadline.Please note that planning and time are required to complete the nomination document. Hence the 12 week period (December to March) provided for preparation.

Awards Categories

Please read ‘contribution’ to mean ‘an outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation’.

1. Awards for individual contributions
1a. A contribution over a lifetime (15 years or more).
1b. TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher A contribution to research and its outputs over a period of up to 15 years as a researcher, predominantly in South Africa.
1c. TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging Researcher A contribution to research and its outputs over a period of up to 6 years in research, predominantly in South Africa.
1d. Management Award A contribution through management and related SET and innovation activities over the last 5-10 years.

2. Engineering Research Capacity Development Awards A contribution by an individual over the last 5-10 years.

3. The NSTF-GreenMatter Award A contribution by an individual or an organisation towards achieving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy over the last 5-10 years.

4. NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award A contribution by an individual or an organisation to SET in South Africa towards sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions over the last 5-10 years.

5. Data for Research Award An outstanding contribution to SET and innovation, for advancing the availability, management and use of data for research.

6. Innovation Awards
6a. Award for Innovations and their research and/or development through a corporate organisation A contribution by an individual or a team through a corporate organisation over the last 5-10 years.
6b. Award for Innovations and their research and/or development through an SMME A contribution by an individual or a team through a small, medium or micro enterprise (SMME) over the last 5-10 years.

7. Communication for outreach and creating awareness of SET and Innovation A contribution by a team or individual over the last 5 years.

8. Award for a Non-governmental organisation A contribution to SET by an NGO including innovation, technology transfer and education and training activities over the last 5-10 years.

9. Special Annual Theme Award (awarded according to criteria in any of the categories) For 2017/2018 this award is made for a contribution towards Sustainable Energy for All in recognition of the International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, as declared by the UN.

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